Who would you pick to beat prime Ezzard Charles at LHW?

Bob Foster would be a dangerous fight for any LHW his jab and range control make it hard for Charles to get inside and work, and he’d have to come forward into Foster’s best shots.

Spinks H2H might be the best LHW ever, and his long-range game would give Charles problems. The jab, distance control, and ability to punch off it would make it hard for Charles to get set and work his counters.

Jones has the speed and unpredictability to give Charles real problems there’s no pattern to pick up on, so the countering game gets taken away.

And probably a hot take but I think Bivol is a bad stylistic matchup. His footwork, jab, and control of distance would keep Charles from ever settling into a rhythm.

 

I have a list of opponents who would be a 50/50 fight and could beat him, but he could also beat.

Gene Tunney
Tommy Gibbons
Tommy Loughran
Billy Conn
Bob Foster
Michael Spinks
Roy Jones

 

Spinks and Jones jr. Would be my top picks to beat Charles at 175. But that doesn’t mean I definitely think they would

 

Langford, Tunney, Gibbons, Loughran, John Henry Lewis, Al Gainer, Billy Jones, Bivins, Lloyd Marshall, Foster, Qawi, Michael Spinks, Moorer, RJJ, Tarver, Beterbiev.

Miske, Braddock and Conn maybe should be favored but I would favor them based on things they could did above the 175 limit. Miske especially turns from a guy who loses the big fight to slayer of Fred Fulton. They would be bad matchups for Charles regardless though.

Theres like a dozen others I give a chance but would not expect to win. I think Charles is an awfful matchup for Greb or a Mickey Walker thats why I didn't pick them.

 

So you just about have Charles in your top 20 light heavyweights? Wow.

Most have him top 10 across all divisions lb for lb.

 

Spinks, Foster and Jones Jr would have a good chance though i pick Charles over everyone. Langford too would have a solid chance.

 

I would favor Maske.

 

I think Mike Spinks and Roy Jones can beat him. Barnard Hopkins might be a tough out. Prime Charles should out box Bob Foster. Charles pretty competitive against anyone else but I’m not as familiar with LHs of last 20 years.

 

Picking one guy I'd throw in Michael Spinks. He might have the best chance tho I'd not favor him.

 

Following on from McGrains post .. Greb might too.. Best LHW resume in history. Awkward unpredictable & relentless by all accounts. Conn maybe aswell, just as good as Charles IMO.

 

Lloyd Marshall considering he did beat Charles once. They technically super middleweights that nite. He would have that punching power.

 

Hi Buddy.
As with Eddie, i am a little surprised how many LHWs you think might beat a prime Charles, especially the likes of Gainer and Tarver, don't know who Billy Jones is ! but thats your provocative, and who really knows .
stay safe HZ26, chat soon.
Mike.

 

Thanks. All the best!

The pre WW2 era has many uncovered guys who'd be legends today with more belts. Gainer is one of the very best.

20 sounds like a lot but theres been hundreds of great LHWs and Ezzard didn't win a belt at the weight class. Charles that light was very chinny and the more powerful 175s would be a problem for him. Charles was more durable at HW. And since the Charles era at HW were mostly guys his size anyway this was a better set up for him.